Halloween STEM: Monster Genetics
Updated: December 27, 2024
Type: Seasonal/Holiday STEM Activity
Grade Level: 4 - 8
Who doesn’t love monsters? This Halloween, task your students with designing and building a unique monster using any available supplies in your classroom! The twist is that students must first flip a coin to determine which features are included in the monster design. This Halloween monster STEM activity is a perfect introduction to genetics!
This fun lesson is intended to guide students in elementary and middle school through a design challenge using recycled materials. Students should complete this hands-on monster engineering design challenge as a foundation for a deeper understanding of genetic concepts. In this decontextualized activity, students will design their own genetically unique monster, based on 2 variations of 8 different features (traits). Students will flip a coin to see how the features (traits) are expressed in their monster. Students will build a 3D version of their monster.
Recommended Materials:
Paper tubes
Styrofoam or plastic cups
Paper boxes
Pipe cleaners
Craft sticks
Toothpicks
Googly eyes
Pom poms
Tape
Scissors
Rubber Bands
Straws
Other misc. craft/building material
Related Vivify Lessons
This product is a decontextualized activity that does not cover full genetics topics. The full lesson, Genetics STEM Unit: Monster Engineering Challenge-5E Science Lesson, can be found below along with our hybrid genetics STEM unit.
Engage students with a hands-on monster engineering challenge that helps them understand key genetics concepts like dominant and recessive traits! This 5E complete STEM unit includes editable handouts, teacher instructions, presentation slides, and science background pages.
Grades: 4th - 8th
Teaching Duration: 1 week
Students will complete a hands-on apple observation of hybrid and non-hybrid apples, giving students the opportunity to look, smell, touch and taste the different varieties. Building from this experience, students will explore key genetic concepts on hybrids through readings, videos, and discussions.
Grades: 4th - 8th
Teaching Duration: 1 week
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